Combined fuse tester and flashlight



Jan. 19, 1954 J. BABERNITSH COMBINED FUSE TESTER AND FLASHLIGHT AIT ITWMFiled May 4, 1951 ATTORNEY yPatented Jan. 19, 1954 UNITEDy STATES PATENTOFFICE 2,666,894 COMBINED FUSE TESTER AND FLASHLIGHT Joseph Babernitsh,Vaux Hall, N. J.

Application May 4, 1951, Serial No. 224,539

My invention relates generally to a fuse tester and flashlight incombination, and specifically to suchan item which carriesself-contained batteries for the purpose of giving a visible signal.

It is among the objects of my invention to provide a fuse tester whichwilloperate to test fuses in a dead circuit without removing them fromthe fuse box.

It is among the further objects of my invention to provide a fuse testerwhich will test a fuse in a dead circuit; i. e., in a fuse box in whichthe current is cut-off automatically when the door is opened.

It is among the further objects of my invention to provide a fuse testerwhich is safe to use, will give a visible signal as to the character ofthe fuse, and will also function as a flash-light when not being used asa fuse tester.

Among the further objects of my invention is to provide a combinationfuse tester and flashlight which is simple in form, relativelyinexpensive, durable and easy to construct.

These objects and advantages, as well as other objects and advantages,may be achieved by the device illustrated in the drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a view in perspective showing my invention;

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional View;

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view looking in the direction of thearrows taken on the line 3-3 in Figure 2; and

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view looking in the direction of thearrows taken on the line 4-4 in Figure 2.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, my invention provides acombination fuse tester and flash-light which has a tubular casing II.This casing is formed of non-conductive or insulating material. Each endof the casing II is provided with a threaded collar I2, I3. Thesecollars are electrically conductive and are attached to the casing atboth ends. On the outside thereof they are threaded. A dome-shaped capI4 having an internal thread is in engagement with the threaded collarI2. The cap I4 is provided with a central aperture I5. A socket I6having a flange I'I is seated at this end of the casing II and is inengagement with the threaded collar I2, thereby forming therewith anelectrically conductive continuum. A bulb I8 is positioned in the socketand it has its end disposed in the central aperture I of the cap I4. Anelectrically conductive strip I9 is positioned on the outside of thecasing having one` end in contact with the threaded collar I2 andrunning along the casing nearly 1 Claim. (Cl. 324-53) its entire lengthto a passage 20 near the collar I3. Here the strip I9 passes through thecasing and extends along the inside thereof to the end. At this end, acap 2I is in engagement with the second collar I3. This cap has anannular internal rib 22 which denes a seat upon which a contact plate 23rests. A button 24 is attached to the contact plate 23 and extendsthrough an aperture 25 in the cap 2I. Pressure applied to the button 24causes the contact plate 23 to move inwardly. Depending upon the lengthof the casing, a battery or batteries 26, are included therein. Aclosure plate 21 is attached to this end of the casing. The closureplate 21 is in electrical contact with the end of the strip I9. Theclosure plate has a central aperture 28. A spring 29 having one endengaged with the battery 26, extends through the aperture 28. The otherend of the spring 29 is attached to the contact plate 23. The aperture28 is so dimensioned that the spring will not be in electrical contactwith it at any time. The spring 29 normally maintains the contact platein the position shown in Figure 2. However, upon nger pressure beingapplied to the button 24, the contact plate 23 is moved to make contactwith the closure plate 21, thereby completing the circuit and causingthe bulb to light. This illustrates the manner of functioning of thedevice as a flash-light.

Its major function, however, is as a fuse tester and for this purposeits use is especially valuable for testing fuses in fuse boxes whichhave automatic cut-off features connected with the doors, i. e., whenthe door is opened the electrical cir cuit is broken so that thecontacts in which the fuse rests are dead. Thus when the door of thefuse box is opened the fuse and its contacts are isolated from theelectrical circuit. Whenmy fuse tester is applied to the fuse to whichit corresponds in size, one end 30 should contact one end of the fuse.The other end of the fuse tester 3| is brought into electrical contactwith the other end of the fuse. If the fuse is good an electricalcircuit is thereby completed through the fuse and the bulb I8 lights. Incases Where the fuse is of lesser length than the fuse tester, theconductive strip I9 provides an additional area 32 upon which contactwith the collar of the fuse may be made causing, thereby, the bulb tolight if the fuse is good. If, however, the fuse is not good, the bulbdoes not light, because the circuit is not completed through the fuse.use of this device obviates the necessity for removal of the fuse fromthe fuse contacts in order to test it. The fuse may be tested in placein The the switch box. A considerable saving in time results with muchadded convenience.

The foregoing description is merely intended to illustrate an embodimentof the invention. The

v component parts have been shown and described.

They each may have substitutes which may perform a substantially similarfunction; such substitutes may be known as proper substitutes for thesaid components and may have actually been known or invented before thepresent invention; these substitutes are contemplated as being Withinthe scope of the appended claim, although they are not specicallycatalogued herein.

I claim:

A fuse tester comprising a tubular non-conducting casing, a conductiveiirst collara'ttached to the outside of the casing at one endl a secondconductive collar attached to the outside of the casing at the otherend, an electricallyv conductive apertured cap in threaded engagementwith the rst collar, a ilanged conductive socket seated on the end ofthe first collar within the cap, a bulb in the socket with its vitreousend in the aperture in the cap, a straight conductive strip on theoutside of the casing electrically connected to and extending` from thefirst collar toward the second collar and then through thenon-conducting casing -and along the inside thereof, an aperturedconductive cap in threaded engagement with the second collar, an annularinternal rib in the cap defining a seat, a springi and the other endextending through the aperture in the closure plate and in electricalcontact with thev contact plate, said spring normally urging the contactplate into spaced relation to the closure plate, and said button adaptedto move the contact, plate into engagement with the clqsure plate.

JOSEPH BABERNITSH.

efereaces Cited in. the, 1.1.11?, Qf this patent UNITED STATES PATENTSNumber Name Date 1,772,266 Puckett fag-,g1 Aug- 5., 1930 1,995,476 gMar, 26, 19,35 2,249,691 July ,15, 194,1 2,256,641 Sept. ,23, 19451:2,275,696, .1: Mar. 1,0JK 1942 4.433.539 June A15,` 191gA 2,5 8,559. vsMar. 11.', 1952

